Just when I thought Fitzroy could not support a single cafe more, another one opened right on my doorstep. Mind you I have also previously said that Fitzroy cannot support another warehouse conversion, another shop selling fixies and another contemporary art gallery and each time the suburb has proved me wrong. In this case, Breakfast Thieves got off to a rather shaky start on the weekend with two fire trucks arriving during its soft opening and shutting down service after a smoke alarm went off in the cafe. I revisited on Anzac Day and everything seemed to be running much more smoothly.

Brioche Pain Perdu

Located in the bottom of a warehouse building Breakfast Thieves has an industrial feel with exposed brick walls, light bulbs dangling from the ceiling and metal edged tables. There’s space for outdoor seating on the pavement and a couple of big tables for groups or communal dining. I went there for brunch with my friend Tans and we perched ourselves at one of the bar tables which line the cafe’s windows.

Inside the Breakfast Thieves – love the big communal tables and whiskey decanters for water bottles

The menu adopts the twee or amusing practice (depending on your view) of giving dishes titles that reflect the cafe’s name so instead of baked eggs there is “The Pickpocket” and rather than spaghetti bolognese there is “Don Corelone”.

“Ned Kelly” mushrooms with poached eggs and polenta

Steering clear of the novelty names I ordered the pain perdu ($15) which was made with fluffy, thick brioche topped with slow cooked caramalised apples and mascarpone cream. A scattering of pistachio nuts added a bit of textural contrast to this sweet, sticky but delicious confection.

On the savoury side the “Ned Kelly” ($17.50) was piled with pan fried mushrooms, baked wedges of polenta and two poached eggs. It was a great combination but unfortunately the eggs were overcooked to the point that the yolks were completely hard rather than runny. Hopefully just a misfire in the cafe’s first week.

Coffee by the Social Roasting Company

Crucially the coffee ($3.50) was sensational. Creamy, smooth and on the mild side the coffee at Breakfast Thieves comes from the Social Roasting Company. The cafe also offers homemade biscuits and sweet things including some of the biggest Anzac biscuits ($3) I have ever seen.

Croissants and home made cookies line the counter

Apart from the overcooked eggs our brunch was top notch. I will be back although that is partially a reflection on the quality food and coffee and partially a reflection on just how close Breakfast Thieves is located to Tans’ flat. Although I briefly considered not paying for our meal in keeping with the “thieves” theme you will be glad to know I decided against it.

I miss Melbourne breakfasts! Although there are some great places here – I am yet to find the venue that replicates the feel of the old “Conti” in Greville St (sadly no longer there) that was my weekend staple in the 90s.